Lovina shoved her hands in her pockets and scowled as she walked down the street. She had to park almost a mile away since the street was lined with cars within the shopping district. Last minute shopping she figured. Why did it have to be so damn cold? Lovina shivered as the frigid air grazed her cheek. She was seriously regretting not bringing a scarf. At least she had found a hat in her car, so her ears were spared from the harsh cold. After a few minutes of walking, snow started gently falling from the sky. Lovina groaned a bit and picked up the pace. This better be fucking good.

Lovina quickly opened the door to the indicated meeting spot and let out a satisfied sigh when a wave of warm air hit her. She quickly scanned the room for the idiot that had called her out there. Her eyes finally landed on a man leaning over papers and typing something into a computer. She hesitantly walked over and cleared her throat. Her teacher quickly lifted his head and smiled like he hadn't seen her in years. And then that smile changed a bit when he saw how perfectly rosy her cheeks had become after walking in the cold.

"Lovina, I'm so glad to see you!" he exclaimed as he rose. Lovina drew back a little, surprised by his eagerness. "Mr. Carr-"

Antonio placed his hand on her shoulder to silence her as he pulled out a chair for her. "Please, we are not in school chica. You can call me Antonio" he said cheerily as she sat down. Lovina cocked an eyebrow and settled in her seat.

"Ok…Antonio…What on earth-"

"Can I get you some coffee?" 'Antonio' interrupted. Lovina rolled her eyes and smacked her palm to her forehead. "How about you tell me why I'm here" she answered, clearly annoyed. Antonio laughed and shook his head.

"In due time Lovi. But I insist you have something. You look freezing. Let me warm you up!"

Lovina turned bright red and let her jaw hang. Such an oblivious idiot.

"So how do you like your coffee Lovi?"

"B-Black" she stammered. Antonio nodded and headed for the counter. Lovina let out an exasperated sigh and rested her head on the table after shrugging off her jacket. This man was going to be the death of her. Lovina jolted when she felt her pocket vibrate. She quickly pulled out her phone and answered the call.

"Ciao?"

"Lovina, where are you?"

Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT. Lovina held in a gasp and calmed herself. "D-Didn't Feli tell you nonno? I'm with Heracles…." Lovina glanced back at Antonio to make sure he couldn't hear. The last thing she wanted was for him to know she had to sneak around in order to see him.

"Yes, but she didn't seem so sure of herself. Care to tell me what's going on?"

Lovina could tell he was losing patience. And Antonio was coming back.

"The-the truth is, I'm uh…on a date!" she quickly lied in Italian. "But, I-I didn't want Feli to tell you. So that's probably why she seemed nervous."

Lovina bit her lip when Antonio sat down in front of her, worried. Her grandfather was silent until she heard him laugh. She let out the breath she had been holding in and glanced at Antonio.

"Well what do you know? I didn't think the kid had it in him" he chortled, keeping with the shift in language. Antonio tilted his head as Lovina turned bright red and stammered something he couldn't understand into the phone. Lovina mumbled a quick "Ciao" and hung up the phone.

"Is everything alright?" he questioned hesitantly. Lovina just wearily nodded and sighed.

"That man is more infuriating than you" she grumbled before taking a sip of her coffee. "What do I owe you for this?" she added, setting the cup down. Antonio shook his head and reached for something beside his chair.

"My treat. But I really need to give this to you." Antonio pulled out a thick manila envelope and placed it in front of Lovina. The girl eyed the packet suspiciously and slowly reached for it. Antonio smiled and rested his chin on his hand while he watched her open the packet.

"What is this?" she asked quietly as she pulled out the papers. Antonio's smile widened as he sat up.

"Information on a full-ride scholarship to a culinary institute in Tuscany. I know it's not Bologna, but it's the best I could find."

Lovina's heart stopped. She paused only for a moment before snatching the papers out of the envelope and looking them over. This was more than just information. These were forms, applications, a recommendation, and instructions on how to apply. Hell, he even saved her a spot on the registry.

"How did you-"

"Francis told me…" he answered awkwardly.

"Where-"

"After I found out, I did a little research. It took awhile, but I finally dug this up and thought it'd be perfect for you."

Lovina stared at him, not knowing what to say. Antonio silently reveled over the fact that he had rendered her speechless.

"Why?"

Antonio leaned forward and smiled. "You work so hard Lovina. It's not fair for you to have to hold yourself back."

Lovina hesitated before setting the papers down and bowing her head. "I don't want your pity" she hissed, avoiding his eyes. Antonio let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.

"Then you won't get it. Lovina, I just want to help you-"

"But I never asked you to!" Antonio was a bit taken aback by how confused she was. She shouldn't have to ask for help she so desperately needed. It should be expected to have people come to her aid every once in awhile. Antonio could tell she was embarrassed by his act.

"Lovina, look at me."

The girl only turned her face away even more. Antonio sighed and reached across the small table to lift her chin. Lovina's breath hitched at the contact, but her eyes met his nonetheless.

"You don't have to do anything. Burn it, shred it, use it; it makes no difference to me." Antonio slowly pulled his hand away and sat back in his chair. "But you deserve the option. I can't get you in. I'm not giving you any guarantees. I'm simply giving you a chance."

Lovina was still speechless. She would never understand why this man was doing so much for her. That was the most infuriating thing about him. She had given him trouble from the start, yet here he was, offering her a better future than anyone else had. Lovina nodded and put the papers back in the envelope. Once she was done, she stared at her hands uncomfortably.

"Thank you" she finally mumbled. Antonio was surprised by her humility. She wasn't an arrogant person to begin with, but he had never seen her so timid before.

"There's no need to thank me. It's the least I could do."

Lovina avoided his gaze and stood, reaching for her coat. "I should be going. Feliciana is a bit concerned as to why a teacher asked me to meet him."

Antonio became a bit flustered and rose as well. Maybe he was being a bit forward….

Antonio cleared his throat and gathered his things up. "Let me walk you to your car" he stated as he put his coat on.

Lovina blushed and shook her head. She didn't want to be seen with him by any of her classmates, or teachers for that matter. "That's really not necessary!"

Antonio chuckled and ushered her out the door. "Don't be silly. Our cars are probably close anyways, considering how hard it was to find a close space" he reasoned. Lovina rolled her eyes and grumbled something incoherent before shoving her hands in her pockets. It was still so damn cold. And it was snowing. She could see both of their breaths as they walked side by side. Lovina shivered when a gust of cold air whipped her face.

Antonio frowned when he saw her shudder. He wordlessly removed his scarf and placed it around her neck. Lovina jolted a bit, not expecting the warm gesture.

"What are you doing?! You'll get cold!" she scolded. Antonio smiled and shrugged.

"You need it more than I do" he replied. Antonio smirked a bit and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "But thanks for being concerned, chica" he added with a wink.

Lovina turned bright red and glared at him. "Don't get the wrong idea, I don't care-"

Lovina's breath hitched when she stepped on a patch of ice and felt her feet sweep out from under her. Antonio quickly stepped behind her and caught her waist before she could hit the ground. Lovina took a moment to marvel at how strong his arms were as they were wrapped around her delicate frame.

"Are you alright Lovi?"

Lovina jolted when she felt his hot breath on her ear. "Y-Yes, now put me down!" she ordered. Antonio chuckled and gently set her down, away from the slippery surface.

"Why do you always seem to be falling around me?" he teased as she stumbled to find her balance. Lovina pouted and turned away to hide how red her face was before storming off. Antonio hurried to catch up with her.

"Lovi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend to" he chuckled as he fell into step with her. She was still flustered because of her clumsiness and his staring wasn't helping. Lovina stole an angry glance at him and rolled her eyes. Antonio smirked and took a step inward, closer to her.

"Don't be so sour Lovi" he whined as he poked her side. Lovina halfheartedly pushed him away.

"Don't be so immature Antonio" she retorted before digging into her pocket and pulling out her keys. Antonio sighed as she unlocked her car and open the door.

"Hey" she started with her back facing him. Antonio stepped closer, waiting for her to finish.

"Thank you. You've done more than you realize" she said quickly before stepping in and closing the door. Antonio stepped forward and tapped on the glass of the driver window. Lovina slowly rolled it down and gave him an exasperated look.

"Feliz Navidad!" he cheered happily. Lovina looked away a bit and smiled. Antonio swore he saw tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Boun Natale" she responded softly before turning on the engine and driving off. Antonio watched her go, still smiling and elated that he was able to make her smile.